(I had a longer, probably more boring version of this post, but my login expired and I lost it. Hopefully, this captures the gist of it.)

I bought a Generation 3 Glock 19 last Saturday. I don't like it, but will, in the near-ish term, be using it to replace my beloved Browning Hi-Power as my default carry gun.

I'm retiring the Browning for a couple of reasons:

First, there are some middling complaints about the function of the gun which will take some effort (and money) to get fixed. Nothing has changed here: the magazine disconnect still irks me, as do the magazines that won't drop free, or that the hammer bites the web of my hand. None of this is serious enough to fix right now, but it's all stuff I want to get fixed.

Second, the logistics of the Hi-Power suck like hard vacuum. For a gun that's actually being produced, parts are difficult to find, and cost too much money. Factory anything costs anywhere from 25% to 100% more than it ought to, including the price of the gun itself. After-market accessories and parts exist, but are a bit thin on the ground. Holsters would be nearly non-existent if the Hi-Power weren't about the same size as a compact 1911.

So, it's going to go back in its case and only come out when I can't stand to carry the plastic wondergun or want to take it to the range.

Unlike the Hi-Power, I really don't love the Glock. I don't even like it. It's ugly, has a plastic frame and a striker-fired action. Everybody and their aunt has one and at least half of all Glock owners are rabid fanboys not entirely dissimilar to old-school Mac users (i.e. "I've only ever used this one thing of this type, but let me tell you how much better it is than whatever you're using now."). Disassembly requires pulling the trigger on a closed chamber, which can and has caused negligent discharges and injuries. The factory sights are made of plastic. The factory controls are too small. The grip doesn't feel good in the hand. It doesn't have an external safety other than the trigger blade.

But. The thing is, I didn't buy the Glock because I'd changed my mind and suddenly become a fan. I bought it because it solves the persistent problems I've had because I chose to use and carry the Hi-Power. You can buy parts or accessories for a Glock almost every place that sells guns. And the parts are affordable, they all drop in, and the gun shop probably has at least one guy certified as a Glock armorer, anyway. The guns have an excellent (if overblown) reputation for durability and reliability.

So, I don't like it. It's a choice which does not please me. But, I think I respect it, and that'll have to do.

In the meantime, I've replaced the stock magazine release, will have new sights on order before the weekend is out, and have already got a light and laser installed. Still need a holster and magazine carrier, but my wallet's been soaked enough for one month.
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On the one hand, I had a heart valve replaced on May 30th because, back in February, the doctor picked up on what turned out to be a congenital defect. I'll probably have a bit more to say on that later, but it turned out to be good that I didn't take any longer than I did getting it taken care of. Also, hospital food? Not very appealing, for the most part. It's been (correction: is still) an interesting and inspiring experience, but I'd recommend against doing it unless you have to (but, in that case, do it).

On the other hand, I am (finally) the proud owner of a shiny, new Bushamstermaster ACR. You may not give a crap, but I have been anticipating one for five years. I took it apart this evening (I at least field strip most guns after buying them and before shooting ) and put it back together, and mangled an O-ring in the process. It's not a critical part, thankfully, but it's a bit annoying, all the same. Otherwise, I am pleased, and look forward to shooting it as soon as I'm able.
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I was wrong

2012.01.09 09:34 - Guns

I did manage to make it to the range in December, which makes a total of three trips for all of 2011 (not counting AAC's Silencer Shoot, which was pretty awesome, you guys). Not a great year, on multiple fronts.

I shot the Hi-Power, an AR I completed back in May, the 870 (purchased last January) and the Sterling carbine (re-received back in October). I had the CZ and Sig Mosquito packed, but they never got brought out. C'est la vie. I emptied the magazine in the Hi-Power, and fired the AR, 870, and Sterling for the first time. Everything worked! Huzzah!

Alas, I am way out of practice, and hardly hit anything.

I only have one magazine for the Sterling at the moment, but shooting it's a gas. There's almost no recoil, and very little noise or blast (pistol ammo through a 16" barrel: go figure). I couldn't tell how much of the problem with hitting with it was due to the sights and how much was me. (I wasn't impressed with the peep sight, though.) Still, fun.

I spent last weekend in West Memphis, Arkansas, volunteering at AAC's Silencer Shoot 2011. I was able to shoot a suppressed Remington ACR in full auto, and to shoot Remington's new gas piston AR upper in full auto, as well. I highly recommend the experience, if you can find a time and location when it's not quite so warm: highs starting at 99 Fahrenheit take a lot of the fun out of walking around and looking at things in the out of doors.

I also got to shoot a suppressed Glock 17. I'm pretty sure it was one of the 4th generation models, so that may have something to do with it, but I found the Glock less ergonomically awful than expected. Not half bad, in fact.

I had a blast, honestly, but I think if I go back, it may be as a paying customer and only one day (if they do a two-day thing again). And with more money. Fastest way to turn money into noise, indeed. Only, without so much noise.
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